Historics is shaping up well for its forthcoming auction at Mercedes-Benz World on November 23, with a bumper entry of over 150 classics set to tempt potential buyers ahead of the festive season. As usual there’ll be plenty of variety amongst the consignments at the Weybridge venue, with everything from no-reserve lots to prized exotica.
Appropriately given the venue, a whopping 31 Mercedes-Benz are set to be entered. These range from a no-reserve 190E 2.6 through to a 1971 600 Pullman limousine estimated to reach as high as £270,000, with everything from Pagodas to G-Wagens in-between.
Motorsport provenance is also a major theme of the sale, as evidenced by the headline act – a 1966 Aston Martin DB5 restoration project estimated at £355,000-£395,000. Previously owned by renowned marque specialist Ian Mason, it was raced with some success throughout the ’70s and ’80s before being laid up.
But as if that weren’t enough, it’s joined by a trio of rare two-seaters often used in competition. First up is a rare and collectable 1949 Healey Silverstone ‘E-Type’, estimated at £135,000-£170,000. Much cheaper at a predicted £19,000-£23,000 is a diminutive 1935 Singer Nine Le Mans Speed, with a similarly sized 1930 MG M-type expected to sell for similar money. For those with deeper pockets and a preference for four seats, a 1925 Bentley 3 Litre Open Tourer is expected to change hands for a predicted £180,000-£220,000.
Bringing us forward several decades, you’ll find no fewer than three Jaguar XJSs without reserve, a brace of Peugeot 205 GTIs, a turbocharged Mk3 Ford Capri and a charming if a little careworn Mini 1000 in Russet Brown. Italian classics range from a pair of Alfa Romeo Spiders to a wide selection of Ferraris, while a brace of Datsun 260Zs and a sole 240Z fly the flag for Japan.
With a range of cars stretching from a 1928 Morris Cowley right through to McLaren supercars, this is not an easy sale to pigeonhole. We’ve selected our highlights below, but for the full catalogue see www.historics.co.uk.
One of the stand outs amongst a host of Italian machinery is this V8-powered 1974 Alfa Romeo Montreal. Sold new to Germany, it has only recently been imported to the UK and boasts a comprehensive history file, as well as coveted Alfa Romeo Classiche paperwork. It’s expected to sell for £50,000-£60,000.
A number of MGs feature in the sale, but this MGC GTS Sebring tribute act is arguably the most eye-catching. This excellent replica was built to ‘Works’ specification for competition use in the early 1980s and was successfully campaigned thereafter. Now recommissioned, it could be a bargain at an estimated £35,000-£42,000.
The sale includes both a Mk1 Cooper S and a Mk2 Cooper, plus a 2006 MINI GP, but we couldn’t help but be drawn to this humble and slightly careworn Russet Brown Mini 1000. Offered with no reserve, the 1979 automatic example has covered only 21,320 miles from new and comes with a stack of paperwork.
A spectacular garage find, this 1972 BMW E9 CSi has been in single family ownership from new. It was restored in 1990 but has been laid up since 2009 in a heated garage. Estimated at £13,000-£19,000, it still presents very well and shows just 67,632 miles.
A host of British classics are amongst the consignments, including several Austin-Healeys and a wide variety of Triumphs. This white 1976 Triumph Stag, however, has the honour of being owned by ex-captain of the England football team, Gerry Francis. Ignore the mullet hairstyle, as he obviously has fine taste in cars – this one is in excellent shape and comes with loads of invoices. It’s estimated at £16,000-£20,000.
The Series 3 Jaguar XJ celebrates its 40th birthday this year, and this 1983 4.2-litre XJ6 looks a fine way to celebrate. Complete with a host of options including full leather trim and air conditioning, it has covered a mere 31,380 miles from new and comes with a Jaguar Heritage certificate. A new buyer is expected to part with £11,000-£14,000 for it.
A Dimma-kitted Peugeot 205 was the star car on the very first issue of Max Power magazine, and evokes fond memories for a generation of car enthusiasts. The styling takes its cues from the Group B 206 T16, with this particular example based on a 1989 1.9 GTI. It’s estimated at £8000-£12,000, but if you don’t fancy the fattened-up looks, a rare 1.9 GTI Radio FM Edition is included in the sale too.
Only a handful of Capris were specially modified by Northampton-based Turbo Technics from the factory, and this 1986 2.8 Injection model is one of them. Fitted with a very period Tickford-style ‘Kat’ bodykit, it was recently the subject of a £15,000 restoration and presents extremely well. It’s estimated at £20,000-£27,000.
Toyota’s ubiquitous BJ40 Landcrusier stayed in production for 24 years. This last-of-the-line 1984 hard-top example boasts disc brakes and power steering, which earlier cars did not have, and has been treated to a full body-off restoration. A rare sight on British roads, its expected to sell for £23,000-£28,000
